Tag: Tony Rebel

  • Free Up The Herbs: 40 of Reggae’s Highest-Grade Ganja Anthems

    Free Up The Herbs: 40 of Reggae’s Highest-Grade Ganja Anthems

    Marijuana Laws May Be Changing, But These Rebel Music Selections Will Keep Playing Forever

    Every day brings new headlines about voters in the U.S.A. passing medical marijuana laws and American states decriminalizing reefer—even as the Federal government reserves the right to swoop in and prosecute whoever however whenever. Meanwhile venture capitalists continue to align themselves with the Bob Marley estate in order to build a global ganja brand. It feels like a bright new day in the long-running batttle to legalize Jamaica’s national herb. But don’t sleep: the Governor General has yet to sign the proposal that would allow Rastas to cultivate for personal use and corporations to cultivate for profit. And Jamaica’s Governor General still answers to the Queen of England, so there’s no telling what will happen. Meanwhile youths all over the world are still getting locked up for illegal possession of the wisdom weed. So the binghi drums have to beat and songs like these have to play, words sounds and power. These are not just “weed tunes” but songs about the real-life struggles surrounding ganja prohibition. say are they just one-line shout-outs, like the tune where Bounty and Cham said “tell the government free up the weed policy,” as wicked as that was. These are the rabble-rousing songs dedicated to defending marijuana growers and sellers and smokers from all forms of downpression. Some relate to the nitty-gritty details of the hustler’s life, others focus on police efforts to fight against the weed, while others make the case for legalization. Any topic that could inspire so much great music has to be important. Just like Josey Wales said on track #20, “It Haffi Bun.” And these songs have to play. Audio After The Jump; Countdown Continues Above (more…)

  • Rebel Salute 2015 Takes It Higher

    Rebel Salute 2015 Takes It Higher

    Roots Reggae stars shine at the 22nd staging of Rebel Salute

    Dressed in a sky blue suit, Tony Rebel took the stage at Grizzly’s Plantation Cove in the parish of St. Ann on Jamaica’s north coast. “Love you like a fresh vegetable,” he sang on 16th January 2015, the first night of Rebel Salute. “Tell me if you love Tony Rebel”. Although it’s been almost a quarter century since that song was released, the answer was still clear. Yes, the crowd loved the veteran dancehall entertainer who is also the promoter of the annual show that started 22 years ago as a simple birthday party and has turned into one of the most successful music festivals in Jamaica. Read More After The Jump…. (more…)

  • Reasoning with Tony Rebel before Rebel Salute: “I Rebel against things that are Wrong”

    Reasoning with Tony Rebel before Rebel Salute: “I Rebel against things that are Wrong”

    The Rebel With a Cause Looks Back Over 22 Years of Roots & Culture

    No meat, no alcohol, but plenty vibes. No hip-hop, no EDM, but nuff niceness. No stampedes, no slackness, but total niceness. Over the past 22 years, Rebel Salute has stuck to a winning formula and evolved into the people’s choice as Jamaica’s top-ranking reggae festival. Last year the Rebel Salute stage transformed Bounty Killer into Rodney Price as he delivered one of the greatest performances of his career. This year the Boomshots crew dropped by Flames Productions HQ in Kingston, Jamaica to reason with Mr. Tony “Fresh Vegetable” Rebel who explained how a humble birthday celebration grew into a musical phenomenon—complete with its own foundation that awards scholarships to educate Jamaica’s youth. Check the reasoning as Rebel tells Reshma B about the roots of Rebel Salute, right down to the great food (and brain food) availabe at the show. And if you can’t make it there in person, Rebel breaks down the best way to enjoy the show from the comfort of your own yard… Video & Full Lineup After The Jump… (more…)

  • Reasoning with Queen Ifrica: “When You Speak You Become an Enemy of the State”

    Reasoning with Queen Ifrica: “When You Speak You Become an Enemy of the State”

    Reshma B Links The Fyah Muma at Flames Productions HQ in Kingston, JA

    On the last day of 2014, the Reggae Girl About Town dropped by Flames Productions HQ in Kingston, Jamaica to see wha gwan. She had a nice chat with the Fyah Muma about her new album and her hot new collaboration with Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley. Ifrica also expained how she came to sing “Lioness on the Rise,” which Tony Rebel originally wrote for Marcia Griffiths but which became one of the Fyah Muma’s signature songs.  Queen Ifrica also explained the real reason why her show in New York was canceled last year—and no it wasn’t really because of protests from gay community. She also takes a moment to big up all who fight for freedom of speech—the Mandelas and the Gandhis. She also talks about the growth of Rebel Salute over the years. Finally Ifrica lets everybody know how they can keep up with all the action at this year’s festival—going down in St. Anne, Jamaica January 16th & 17th—no matter where in the world they might be.  Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Konshens Pays Respect To 47 Reggae Superstars Who Paved the Way

    Konshens Pays Respect To 47 Reggae Superstars Who Paved the Way

    Who And Who Rates As An Icon Inna The Business?

    Remember when Shabba Ranks dropped that tune “Respect“? “Step by step you haffi climb the ladder / The elders you haffi show respect fah.” It’s plan to see that Konshens got the message. He may be on top of the game now, but he’s not one of those “likkle entertainers” who lose sight of the fact that their opportunities came from icons before him. The Dancehall artist recent single, “Icon,” on the Bad Bounce riddim, pays tribute to a long list of certified icons, all of whom helped “put the spotlight on we island” and established the worldwide success of Jamaican music.Audio & Photo Gallery After The Jump… (more…)

  • Giving Thanks & Praises Itinually

    It’s Not About Turkey & Gravy, Seen? Rasta Attitude Is Gratitude…

     

    As the one Rebel Tony put it: “Ungrateful worser than Obeah. Nuff ungratefulites bout yah… Pretend as if them no memba, gwan like them have amnesia.” Don’t let it happen to you. Here’s 21 ways to remember. Run tune! Audio After the Jump… (more…)

  • HYPE TV Top 20: G Whizz “My Life” Holding Firm

    Sweet New Singer On The Scene Defends His Position

    “My life soon sort out,” sings G Whizz on the slow-rolling Moodswing riddim from TJ Productions. And now that his tune has topped the Hype TV Top 20 chart for two weeks in a row, his words are coming true. But the competition isn’t sleeping… (more…)

  • HYPE TV Top 20: Jah Cure On Top

    What’s Really Poppin’ In Yard? Jah Cure & Phyllisia’s Duet “Call On Me”

    The rootical singer Jah Cure has been “Longing For” a big hit tune ever since becoming a free man two years ago, and now the Danger Zone artist has reached the top spot on the Hype TV Charts with “Call On Me,” his sultry duet with Phillisia. (more…)

  • HYPE TV Top 20: The Queen Makes It Reign

    What’s really poppin’ in yard? Queen Ifrica’s “Far Away.”

    Public Enemy told you “Don’t Believe The Hype” but when it’s HYPE TV, Jamaica’s hottest entertainment network, you best believe it. (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Queen Ifrica “Lioness On The Rise”

    Queen Ifrica at Flames Yard Kingston, JA. Photography by Wayne Lawrence.

    Born Ventrice Latora Morgan in Spanish Town, Jamaica, Queen Ifrica aka the Fyah Muma is the daughter of ska legend Derrick Morgan. She grew up in the Rastafarian community of Montego Bay, and burst onto the local music scene in 2007 with a humorous tune called “Below The Waist” that she followed up with a string of hits that established the DJ’s name as a force to be reckoned with. While putting the finishing touches on her long-awaited debut album, Ifrica recently released an EP called Road To Mobay, which includes a new song that might as well be her official anthem called “Lioness On The Rise.” As she says in the tune, “When the roll is call up / we’ll be standing tall up.” Run the track…

    [audio:https://www.boomshots.com/tunes/LionessOnTheRise.mp3]

    After vibesing the new music, we linked Ifrica for some reasoning. Come in Fyah Muma…. (more…)